Controlling device for signals having several positions



V. CESAR.

CONTROLLING DEVICE roR SIGNALS HAVINGSEVEHAL PosmoNs.

3 SHEETS-SHEET l.

Patented May 30, 1922.

I APPLICATION FILED JUNE 28| |920.

V. CESAR.

CONTROLLING DEVICE FOR SIGNALS HAVLNG SEVERAL POSITIONS.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 28| 1920.

V. CESAR.

CONTROLLING DEVICE FOR SIGNALS HAVING SEVERAL POSITIONS;

APPLlcAloN mso :une 2a. 1920.

1,418,127, Patented May 30, 1922.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

TENT orifice.

VITAL CESAR, or zermsssLs,l BLGIUM.

CONTRGLLING DEVICE son. sIGNALs HAVING SEVERAL POSITIONS.

specification of Letters-raten.

Patented May 30,1922.

Application filed .Tune 28, `1920,. Serial No. 392,489.

, to the accompanying drawings, and to letters or figures of reference marked therein, which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates to an improved sig-v nal for use in connection with railroads and is of the semaphore type. One object of the invention is to provide a signal of the character described having improved actuating means including means for imparting movement to the semaphore or signal board and improved means for releasably holding the board in a set position. p

Another object of the invention is to so construct the operating means that the means for imparting movement to the board may also serve as means for releasably locking the board in a set position.

Another object of the invention: is to providey operating means p eiiicient in operation and easy to operate.

The appended drawings show by way of example an embodiment of the invention. Figs. 1 to 4l shown diagrammatically a signal with its actuating means, in four ditl'erent positions. Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the mechanism A of the Figs. 1-4.

The mechanism comprises a plate 1 'furnished with a notch 3 and a stop piece 5; a plate 2 with a notch 4E, and a stop-piece 6; a hammer 7 engaging in the notches 3 and 4 and a rod 9; connecting this hammer with the signal or wing I", having three positions A cross-piece 8 which can run against the stop pieces 5 and 6 is riveted on the hammer 7 Theplates are displaced by means of the levers 10 and 11 with which they'are respectively connected by rods 12 and 13, usual leversl and 15 and funicular transmissions Irs-1el and www.l

which will be very The limits in motion of the plates are fixed by'stop pieces 18 .and 19 for the first andv 20 and 21 for the second. A counter-weight 22` l wwhich rests normally on a regulatable support 25 is threaded on an arm 23 pivoting on the yairis 24. y

As represented in the drawings and in accordance with what follows, the combination of the notches 3 and 4 with the cross piece 8 and stop-pieces 5 and 6 makes the hammer interdependent with the notched plates in such a Amanner that it must move, and with it y the signal, into the position corresponding with that of the working lever or levers.

The notched plates, as also the hammer, are guided in their movements by ordinary means not represented in the drawings.

In Fig. 1 the position P of the signal is determined by the stop piece 18, the plate 1 the hammer 7 hooked in this plate and the rod 9. The device, 18-1-7D is considered Vto be rigid as regards the position it gives to the signal, because it is constructed so that it can neither increase nor decrease in length to any appreciable degree. The position P Vwhich it assures is thus invariable.

Upon thev lever 10 being actuated, the mechanism takes the position of Fig. 3 this position I of the signal is also invariable in this sense way as the position P in fact, the hammer 7 is hooked in the plate 2 and the latter rests on the stop piece 20. l

, Upon the lever 11 being actuated after the lever l10, the mechanism takes the position of Fig. 4L which is assured by the fact that the plate 1 in which the hammer is hooked to support the signal, is pressed against the stop-piece 19.

In examining the drawings it will be seen that the plates 1 and 2 are respectively-in Contact sometimes with the stop pieces 18V and 20, sometimes with the stop pieces 19 and 21.

This condition `is assured, as regards pres-v that it is assured in the same Y greater strain to which they are subjected. s for pressure of the plates against the other stop-pieces -19 and 21 it is realized in the same manner by aid of the cams 28 and 26.

To bring the signal P, P, P, the-o eration is as follows:

For position the two levers 10 and l1 which are hand operated are brought into position N, that is to say the normal position or that of stoppage. n

For position P the lever 1l is left in the norma-l position and lever l0 reversed. Thus the plate l is drawn away from position B to position C, then to position D. The

to one of the positions hammer 7 which is normally hooked in the notch 3 cannot disengage itself owing to the presence of plate 2 must follow the movement and lift the signal through the agency of the rod 9. However when it reaches position C, or the height of the notch 4, it enters this notch because the lever 14 swings downwardly in the arc of a circle and therefore has a tendency to move the plate l over toward the plate 2 and further the cross-piece 8 strikes the stop 6 and this stops downward movement of the hammer thus causing the cam faces of the hammer and notch 3 to move the hammer outof the notch 3 into the notch 4 as the plate l continues downward movement from the position C toward position D. As the plate continues downward movement, its inner side edge face engages the end of the hammer 7 and thus the hammer will'be prevented from moving out of the notch 4. y

To realize the position P, starting from position Fig. 3 it suiiices to reverse the lever ll. It is evident that the latter will move the signal through the agency of plate `2, of hammer 7, and of rod 9, until the hammer reaches and enters, for reasons previously given in the case of position P', the notch 3, corresponding at this instant to positions P. We can also realize the position P in starting from the situation Fig. 2, which situation is obtained by reversing the lever ll and leaving lever l0 locked.

lt will be seen that it suffices to then re` verse the lever 10, in its turn, to obtain the position represented in Fig. 4. In passing from the position of Figl to f the 'position of Fig. 3, the plate l is in interlocked engagement with the hammer 7 from position D t0 position C, but in passing from position C to position D, the plate l moves out of engagement with the hammer 7 and` therefore the weight of the signal board and hammer no longer offers resistance to movement of the plate l. The resistance offered by this weight would thus be removed and this sudden removal of resistance would cause'the lever tosuddenly move very easily and there would be danger of an operator being injured or of portions of the device being broken by the lever suddenly moving rapidly when the weight resistance is removed.

To avoid this inconvenience the counterweight 22 is utilized as follows: At the moment when the hammer 7 enters the notch 4 the plate l comes into contact with the arm 23 and raises the counter-weight. The latter then takes the place of the signal board to assure continuation of the stress to be exerted on the lever.

It is also the same with regard to lever 1l, at the instant, when in passing from position of Fig. 3 to position of Fig. 4 the hammer enters notch 3.

The peculiar inclination given to arm 23 must also be noted. The object of this inclination is to prevent the plates ever raising the counter-weight when they are loaded with the wing. This condition is clearly indicated in the drawings which also show that the plate engaged with the counter-weight is drawn to stoppage by the said counterweight. i

What I claim is: Y

l. A device to control a railway signal which can be moved to three different positions comprising an entrained part connected with the signal to be moved, two-entraining parts moved by distinct levers, fixed stop pieces limiting the displacement of said two entraining parts and suitable connections effective alternately between said entraining parts and the entrained part, in such a manner that each of the entraining parts can, during part of its course, entrain the part connected with the signal, then conl tinue its course after movement of said part has been stopped by connection with they -moving said two plates, a notch with oblique sides in one of the plates, in which one of the faces of the hammer is engaged when the signal is in the closed position, and a similar notch provided in the other plate and so arranged as to receive thehammer after a certain displacement of the latter under the action of the first plate.

3. A device to control a railway signal.

which can be moved to three different positions, comprising a reciprocating hammer connected with the signal, a moving plate on each side of said hammer, fixed stops limiting the displacement of said two plates, distinct levers and connecting means for moving said two plates,` a notch with oblique sides in one of the plates, in which one of the faces of the hammer is engaged when thc signal is in the closed position, and a similar notch provided in the other plate and so arranged as to receive the hammer after a certain displacement of the latter under the action of the first plate, a crosspiece on the hammer and fixed pins in the plates acting on said cross-piece to make the hammer reciprocate and engage in the notches of the plates.

il. A device to control a railway signal which can be moved to three different positions, comprising a reciprocating hammer connected with the signal, a moving plate on each side of said hammer, ixed stops limiting the sliding movement of said two plates, separate levers and connecting means for moving said plates, one plate having a notch with oblique sides, in which one of the Jfaces of the hammer is engaged when the siglnal is in the danger position, and the ot er plate having a notch arranged to receive the hammer after a certain displacement of the latter under the action of the first plate, and a counterweight adapted to be worked by the plates and to move them back towards the positions corresponding to the danger position of the signal.

In testimony whereof I afliX my signature in presence of two witnesses.

VITAL CESAR.

Witnesses LEONARD LEVA, BEROQUET PIERRE. 

